Restraint systems and restraint system methods

ABSTRACT

Passenger restraint systems are provided. The restraint systems can include: a passenger seat supported by a frame; a restraint bar pivotably attached to the frame; and at least one piston operably engaged between the restraint bar and the frame. Restraint system pistons are provided. The pistons can include: a central chamber housing a piston head and rod; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the central chamber; and at least one electromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position. Methods for restraining a passenger within a seat are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to claims priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/485,169 which was filed Apr. 13, 2017,entitled “Restraint Systems and Restraint System Methods”, the entiretyof which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to restraint systems and restraint systemmethods. In accordance with example implementations, these systems andmethods can be utilized in connection with amusement park rides forexample. Accordingly, example amusement park rides can include laprestraints that are operatively coupled to the frame of a car of theride with a locking cylinder of the present disclosure as well as thelocking cylinder in associated monitoring systems of the presentdisclosure.

BACKGROUND

Restraint systems are becoming increasingly important in amusement ridesthroughout the country. These restraint systems provide a rider withsafety while experiencing varying G-forces about a ride forentertainment purposes. Previously, these restraint systems have takenthe form of lap bars that can be pulled into place upon seating of therider, and then engaged to remain in that place throughout the ride, andthen released from that position upon ride completion. Accordingly,typical rides will require a rider to sit in place, pull the laprestraint toward the lap of the rider, and then prior to the ridecommencing, a separate attendant will manually walk by each rider andpull the restraint away from the lap, and if the restraint does notmove, then that seat is ready to be ridden in. The systems and methodsof the present disclosure overcome the shortcomings of these prior artsystems.

SUMMARY

Passenger restraint systems are provided. The restraint systems caninclude: a passenger seat supported by a frame; a restraint barpivotably attached to the frame; and at least one piston operablyengaged between the restraint bar and the frame, the piston moveablebetween a first position engaging the passenger in the seat and a secondposition disengaged from the passenger in the seat, wherein the pistoncomprises a cylinder head housing a pair of check valves.

Amusement ride passenger restraint systems are provided. The systems caninclude: a passenger seat attached to an amusement ride cart supportframe; a restraint bar operable between a first position engaged withthe passenger and second position disengaged with the passenger; and atleast one piston operably engaged between the restraint bar and the cartsupport frame, the piston moveable between a first position engaging thepassenger in the seat and a second position disengaged from thepassenger in the seat, wherein the piston comprises at least oneelectromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position.

Restraint system pistons are provided. The pistons can include: acentral chamber housing a piston head and rod; a fluid reservoir influid communication with the central chamber; and at least oneelectromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position.

Methods for restraining a passenger within a seat are also provided. Themethods can include: moving a restraint bar in one direction from adisengaged position to an engaged position to restrain a passenger, therestraint bar being unable to proceed opposite the one direction whenengaged; and moving the restraint bar opposite the one direction from anengaged position to a disengaged position after opening a valve in apiston operably coupled to the restraint bar.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to thefollowing accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-4 depict example views of a passenger restraint system accordingto embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5-11 depict example views of a restraint system piston accordingto embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 12-15 depict additional example views of the restraint systempiston of FIGS. 5-11 according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 16-18 depict example views of a piston head and rod assembly ofthe restraint system pistons according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 19-20 depict disassembled views of the piston head and rodassembly of FIGS. 16-18 according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 21-23 depict views of an electromechanical valve assemblyaccording to embodiments of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutionalpurposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science anduseful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The systems and methods of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 1-23. Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, views of examplerestraint systems are shown. In accordance with example implementations,the restraint system 10 can include a passenger seat 12 supported by aframe 14. Frame 14 can be a frame assembly or solid frame for example.

System 10 can include a restraint bar 16 pivotably attached at 17 toframe 14. This can be considered a combination lap bar and a car chassisfor example. System 10 can include at least one piston 20; multiplepistons may be used as shown, operably engaged between bar 16 and frame14. Piston 20 can be moveable between a first position engaging thepassenger in seat 12 (as shown without passenger) and a second positiondisengaged from the passenger in the seat (restraint bar allowing accessor egress from seat 12).

The piston can be coupled between a lower end of the restraint bar,which pivots upon a pivot point 17 on the car chassis. In accordancewith example implementations, the restraint bar can have two positionsand rotate variably between the two positions with a full upright and alocked position. The full upright position allows the rider access tothe chair, while the locked position restrains the rider within thechair. As can also be seen, there is a place for two pistons operativelyengaged with the restraint bar.

Referring next to FIGS. 5-11, a restraint system piston 20 according toan example implementation is depicted that includes a central chamber 52that may be considered a main cylinder. Chamber 52 is operativelyassociated with another chamber 56 such as a fluid reservoir. These twochambers can be operatively engaged via a manifold 53. Manifold 53 canfacilitate fluid flow between the chambers as well as provide housingfor additional valves that may be electromechanically controlled.

Piston 20 can include a rod 54 operatively engaging chamber 52 as wellas coupling end 80 of rod 54. Piston 20 can also includeelectromechanical valve 58 such as a poppet valve. Piston 20 can havechamber 52 aligned below both valve 58 and chamber 56. Chamber 56 andvalve 58 may be aligned in parallel as well. In accordance with exampleimplementations, coupling end 82 may be operatively associated withmanifold 53.

Referring next to FIGS. 11-15, more detailed views of piston 20 areshown. For example, piston 20 can include a piston head 110 coupled torod 54. Head 110 can reside with chamber 52 and be configured to allowfluid flow between portions of chamber 52 separated by head 110. Withinhead 110 can be a pair of check valves 120 and 122. As can be seen oneof the check valves 122 resides within head 110 while the other of thecheck valves can reside at least partially within rod 54.

Further, chamber 56 can include another head 14 configured to providepositive pressure within chamber 56. Each of these heads can definerecesses such as recess 138 configured to receive multiple gaskets 140and 142. Pairs of gaskets 140 and 142 within the recesses 138 may beconstructed of differing materials.

Referring next to FIGS. 16-20, more detailed views of head 110/rod 54assembly are shown. Terminus of head 110 can include opening 170 tofacilitate the flow of fluid through head 110 and between portions ofchamber 52. Gaskets 140/142 may reside partially outside recesses 138when disengaged from chamber 52. Additional gaskets 190 may be providedbetween check valves 120 and 122 when these check valves are provided inseries. The piston head in the main cylinder, the heads themselves canhave both a combination of rubber and/or Teflon rings associatedtherewith which allow the cylinders to slide more freely and be moredurable, thereby lasting substantially longer than prior art lockingcylinders. The cylinder head is shown with a Teflon and a rubber O-ring.The Teflon O-ring can be supported by a rubber O-ring. The cylinder headmay also include two Teflon rings. Both of these Teflon rings can besupported by rubber O-rings.

Referring next to FIGS. 21-23, more detailed views of electromechanicalvalve 58 are shown. In accordance with example implementations, valve 58can include a valve end 220 that is operatively aligned within themanifold and electronically controlled. Further, valve 58 configured asa poppet valve can include a structure 222 that is mechanically coupledto valve end 220, wherein when valve end 220 is open the structure 222is in one position in relation to valve 58 and when valve end 220 isclosed, structure 222 is in another position. The position of structure222 can be monitored electronically to verify open/closed configurationof valve end 220.

According to example implementations and methods, as the piston and rodengage the main cylinder, fluid is displaced between opposing sides ofthe piston head as well as the reservoir cylinder. When fluid is freelyexchanged between those three zones within the locking cylinder, thepiston can traverse the extent of the main cylinder freely. However,when fluid is restricted between the reservoir and the main cylinder,the piston rod can be locked in place. With the use of operativelyaligned check valves, the rod and piston can be restricted from movementin one direction when locked but allowed to move in the oppositedirection. In accordance with example implementations, as to preventfluid from moving in and out of the reservoir, a poppet valve assemblycan be de-energized to fix a poppet valve to restrain fluid flow in atleast one direction when using a check valve to allow flow in theopposite direction, thereby preventing the piston from moving in atleast one direction.

The poppet valve can include an energizer coil that can be used to fixthe poppet valve assembly in that one locking position. Accordingly,when the poppet valve assembly is fixed in that one position, fluid canonly move in one direction and not in both directions, therebypreventing the piston and rod from moving in at least one direction. Inaccordance with example implementations, this can be considered the lapbar moving further in the restraining position while being unable tomove in the unrestrained position.

In accordance with example implementations, the present disclosure alsoprovides a monitored valve to ensure that the valve is in the engagedposition and not in the dis-engaged position. In accordance with exampleimplementations, that can include engaging a mechanical rod to the valveand monitoring the position of that mechanical rod. The monitored poppetvalve assembly can include an energizing portion with an industrialelectrical plug and a monitoring portion to the left with a 5-pinassembly. The monitoring portion can be associated with a fluid exchangeportion that entertains the reservoir piston as well as the main piston.

While recommended sizes are shown and depicted in the accompanyingdrawings, these should not be considered limiting the scope of thisdisclosure as the only operable size that will per operable. What shouldbe considered is that the poppet valve is actually monitored to be inthe engaged position, which is a first in the industry. In accordancewith example implementations, operator houses and amusement rides cannow be equipped with panels that can indicate the engaged or dis-engagedposition of the poppet valve. In certain circumstances, this can be adouble check to an attendant walking the cars and checking to ensurethat they are in a locked position prior to engaging the ride. Also,upon use and testing, the ride can be monitored to ensure that thelocking valves are engaged and therefore in the locked position. Whilenot depicted in the present application, it is envisioned that a panelcan include a representation of a car or multiple cars with individualseats, and each individual seat having an engaged or “go” or “no go”light associated therewith, allowing an operator to review same, and ifall are in “go” positions, allowing the ride to proceed, but if only oneis a “no go” position, that restraint is checked to make sure it isworking properly and if not, that seat is removed from service. This isa substantial increase in the safety of amusement rides worldwide and isthe first time that these kinds of precautions have been viewed by anoperator remote from the ride itself.

The present disclosure provides increased safety for retaining therestraint system in place by using a modified locking cylinder such as asingle locking cylinder that may be used in duplicate for each laprestraint. Therefore, there may be two single locking cylinders.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural andmethodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entireinvention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodimentsshown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise formsof putting the invention into effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for restraining a passenger withina seat, the method comprising: moving a restraint bar in one directionfrom a disengaged position to an engaged position to restrain apassenger, the restraint bar being unable to proceed opposite the onedirection when engaged; moving the restraint bar opposite the onedirection from an engaged position to a disengaged position afteropening a valve in a piston operably coupled to the restraint bar; andwhen moving the restraint bar fluid passes through one or more checkvalves in series.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providingan electronical signal to open the valve.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising sensing the presence of an object associated with thevalve to determine the position, open or closed, of the valve.
 4. Amethod for restraining a passenger within a seat, the method comprising:moving a restraint bar in one direction from a disengaged position to anengaged position to restrain a passenger, the restraint bar being unableto proceed opposite the one direction when engaged; moving the restraintbar opposite the one direction from an engaged position to a disengagedposition after opening a valve in a piston operably coupled to therestraint bar; and passing fluid through a rod head of the piston to theone or more check valves.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprisingslidably engaging the rod head with a piston chamber via a pair ofgaskets.
 6. A method for restraining a passenger within a seat, themethod comprising: moving a restraint bar in one direction from adisengaged position to an engaged position to restrain a passenger, therestraint bar being unable to proceed opposite the one direction whenengaged; moving the restraint bar opposite the one direction from anengaged position to a disengaged position after opening a valve in apiston operably coupled to the restraint bar; passing fluid through afluid reservoir operably coupled to the piston; providing positivepressure within the fluid reservoir with a head slidably engaged withinthe reservoir; and engaging the head with gaskets to the interior of thereservoir.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising opening anothervalve in another piston operably coupled to the restraint bar.